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A247 PDF
A247 PDF
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope very broad way the origin of the graphite, or the suitability of
1.1 This test method covers the classification of graphite in the iron-carbon alloy for a particular service.
cast irons in terms of type, distribution, and size. This test 5. Test Specimens or Samples
method is intended to be applicable for all iron-carbon alloys
containing graphite particles, and may be applied to gray irons, 5.1 The preferred sample is a section cut from an actual
malleable irons, and the ductile (nodular) irons. casting that is being evaluated. When this is impractical, a test
1.2 The reference standards included in this test method are lug or projection often can be cast attached to the casting and
in no way to be construed as specifications. In an appropriate sawed or broken off to be used as the sample. If neither of these
specification for a specific material where graphite microstruc- methods is convenient, microscopical test coupons, such as that
ture is an important consideration this test method may be used recommended by the Ductile Iron Research Committee (12K)
as a reference to define concisely the graphite microstructure of the American Foundrymen’s Society3 should be cast from
required. metal representative of the castings poured.
1.3 These standards are offered primarily to permit accurate 6. Polishing
reporting of microstructures of cast irons and to facilitate the
comparison of reports by different laboratories or investigators. 6.1 Grinding and polishing may follow the usual accepted
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the metallographic procedures as covered in Methods E 3, except
safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility that care must be taken that the graphite is retained at the
of the user of this standard to consult and establish appropriate polished surface and not torn or dragged out. Use of diamond
safety and health practices and determine the applicability of powder polishing compound in one of the final stages of
regulatory limitations prior to use. polishing is very effective in retaining the graphite at the
polished surface.
2. Referenced Documents
7. Classification of Graphite Form with Chart
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E 3 Methods of Preparation of Metallographic Specimens2 7.1 The graphite form type chart (Plate I)4 is used as a
reference standard by scanning the polished specimen under
3. Summary of Test Method the microscope and noting the graphite forms in the micro-
3.1 The reference diagrams included in this standard form structure that more nearly correspond to type designations on
the basis for classification. Characteristic features of graphite the chart.
particles are designated by numerals and letters. Type, distri- 7.2 Type I is the normal and usually desirable graphite form
bution, and size of observed graphite are compared with the in ductile iron, although the presence of Type II graphite forms
idealized microstructures in the standard charts and rated has little or no adverse effect on properties. Graphite forms
accordingly as closely as possible to the equal or similar represented by Types IV through VI often occur in ductile iron
microstructures in the charts. in conjunction with Types I and II. The percentages of each
graphite type are estimated by observation, or better, by
4. Significance and Use counting the particles of each type. Types present in a sample
4.1 The comparison of observed graphite particles with the are to be reported in percentages to total 100. Any convenient
structures shown in the charts give only purely descriptive magnification that clearly reveals the graphite form may be
information on the type, distribution, and size of the graphite in used.
the sample being evaluated. It does not indicate except in a 7.3 Type III is the graphite form most often seen in
malleable iron castings after annealing. Some malleable irons
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may contain Types I or II graphite particles also.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-4 on Iron
Castings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A04.21 on Testing.
3
Current edition effective Aug. 25, 1967. Originally issued 1941. Replaces Transactions, American Foundrymen’s Society, 1960, p. 655.
4
A 247 – 47. Plates I, II, and III may be obtained from ASTM Headquarters. Order
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01. ADJA0247.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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A 247
7.4 Type VII is the flake graphite form usually seen in gray scales may be used to measure the serpentine length dimension
iron. of flakes or the diameter of nodules. Where a mixture of one or
more sizes occurs in the same sample, the sizes may be
8. Classification of Graphite Distribution with Chart reported as percentages of the total graphite area represented
8.1 The graphite distribution chart (Plate II)4 is useful by the sizes involved. It is a common practice in malleable iron
principally in rating flake graphite, Type VII, distributions in to use nodule count per unit area instead of a comparison chart
gray cast iron. Occasionally, however, graphite in malleable or as given here. Nodule count, with known free carbon content,
ductile iron may occur in a nonrandom distribution pattern is a measure of calculated average nodule area.
which the distributions B to E may be used to describe.
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